Phyllonorycter helianthemella

Description

Phyllonorycter helianthemella is a moth of the family Gracillariidae. It is found from Germany to the Iberian Peninsula, Italy and Greece and is also found on the Canary Islands. The larvae feed on Cistus monspeliensis, Cistus salvifolius and Helianthemum canariense. They mine the leaves of their host plant. The mine starts as an epidermal lower-surface corridor that closely follows a thick vein. It continues into a tentifom mine with strong folds, that may occupy almost an entire leaf. The frass is deposited in a loose accumulation. Pupation occurs outside of the mine, in a cocoon in a leaf fold.